Page 1. A land of waterfalls

With a relatively high rainfall and broken, mountainous
terrain, New Zealand has many waterfalls. They have long been
rated as among its most impressive tourist attractions. Many
are in a picturesque setting – waterfalls send out spray as
they tumble down, encouraging the growth of water-loving
plants such as ferns and mosses.

What is a waterfall?

There is some debate about what a waterfall is. One
definition is that a true waterfall has free-falling water.
Others include water that flows downhill fast over bedrock –
a phenomenon that many would define as a cascade.

New Zealand’s highest waterfall

Because of the different definitions, people disagree over
what is New Zealand’s highest waterfall. For years it was
believed that the Sutherland Falls near the Milford Track
held the title, with a total drop of 580 metres.

However, some argue that the highest are the Browne Falls
in Doubtful Sound. Their drop of 836 metres would make them
the ninth highest in the world. But many say that the Browne
Falls are actually a cascade, since they tumble down a
mountainside and have almost no water falling free of rock.
Even the Sutherland Falls descend in three steps, broken by
patches of rock.

Numbers

There is also no agreement as to the number of New Zealand
waterfalls. Well over 1,500 are marked on topographical maps,
but – especially in Fiordland – many falls are intermittent,
only appearing after heavy rain.

South versus north

There are more falls in the South Island, but a greater
number of well-known ones on the tourist routes are in the
north.

South Island and North Island waterfalls differ in several
ways.

Numerous South Island waterfalls were formed by glaciers
as they moved down mountainsides, cutting into the river
valleys. This has created high falls with a relatively small
volume of water, often drying up in summer. Many are
inaccessible and unnamed, and known only to hardy trampers.
Of the well-known falls in the South Island, only the
multi-tiered Purakaunui Falls are away from the alpine
region.

North Island falls were mostly created by volcanic
activity or erosion of softer rock. They are often wider and
lower than the southern falls. They are more accessible, and
richly endowed with Māori tradition. Many have a picturesque
bush setting – waterfalls send out spray as they tumble down,
encouraging the growth of water-loving plants such as ferns
and mosses.